
Badminton is a popular racquet sport played by two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs of players (doubles). The rules of badminton dictate that a player cannot serve two consecutive services in the same game. After a point is won, the players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point. In badminton singles, the server starts from the right service court and serves from that side whenever they have an even number of points. A player serves from the left whenever they have an odd number of points. In both singles and doubles, the player who wins a rally gets to serve next.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of consecutive serves allowed | Unlimited, as long as the player keeps winning points |
| Player's position | Depends on the number of points; odd points – left court, even points – right court |
| Receiver's position | Diagonally opposite from the server |
| Serving rules | The shuttlecock must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height |
| Winning a game | First to 21 points wins, but if the score is tied at 29, the first to 30 wins |
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What You'll Learn

A player keeps serving if they keep winning points
In badminton, a player keeps serving as long as they keep winning points. This is true for both singles and doubles matches. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and serves from that side every time they have an even number of points. If they have an odd number of points, they serve from the left court. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving from alternate sides with their partner, as long as they keep winning points.
The receiver's position is determined by the server's score. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. This means that both players will be in the even service courts or the odd service courts, but never one of each. The receiver must stay within their service court until the serve is made, but their partner can stand anywhere on the court.
The rules for serving are the same for both singles and doubles matches. A badminton serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole of the shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce. After a point is won, the players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point.
In a standard league or tournament play, a match is the best of three games, with each game being played to 21 points. To win a match, a player or team must win two games. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player or team has a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player or team to score 30 points wins the game.
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The receiver's position is determined by the server
In badminton, the server's position is determined by the number of points they have accumulated during the game. If the server has won an even number of points, they serve from the right side of the service court; if they have won an odd number of points, they serve from the left side. This is known as the "even/odd rule". The receiver's position is determined by the server's position—they always stand in the service box diagonally opposite the server. This means that both players will be in the even service courts or the odd service courts, but never one of each.
The receiver must remain within their service court until the shuttle is served, while their partner can stand anywhere on their side of the court. The receiver must also have both feet in contact with the ground until the shuttle is struck. Their feet cannot touch any of the court lines, but they can stand anywhere in their half, even in the tramlines, provided they are not outside the playing court.
In doubles, the basic service rules are the same, but the laws are slightly more complicated. The player who serves first serves from the right side of the service court and continues to do so each time they gather an even number of points. A serve after an odd number of points comes from the left service court. The receiver must stand on the alternate service court, and the pair that wins the point becomes the server for the subsequent point.
In casual club or league games, it is common to determine which side serves first by throwing the shuttle up in the air and letting it fall. The side toward which it points serves first. In standard league or tournament play, a match is the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. To win a game, a player must win by two points. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player gains a two-point lead.
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The rules for serving in singles vs doubles
The rules for serving in badminton are quite intricate, with specific regulations for singles and doubles matches. Here is a detailed breakdown of these rules:
Singles Matches:
In singles badminton, the player's position on the court is determined by their score. If a player has an odd number of points, they serve from the left service court; if they have an even number, they serve from the right. The receiver always stands in the diagonally opposite service box. This means that both players will either be in their respective left or right service courts at the same time.
Doubles Matches:
In doubles, each pair of players works together to accumulate points. The basic service rules are similar to singles: the player who serves first starts from the right service court and continues to do so each time their team accumulates an even number of points. If the team has an odd number of points, the serve comes from the left service court. However, in doubles, players have designated service courts that don't change throughout the game. When one player is serving, their partner doesn't have to stay within a specific service box and can stand anywhere on their side of the court.
General Serving Rules:
Regardless of whether it's a singles or doubles match, certain rules apply to serving in badminton. Firstly, the serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole shuttlecock should remain below 1.15 meters from the court surface when struck, and the racquet shaft should point downwards. The shuttlecock cannot bounce, and players are not allowed second serves. During the serve, players must have both feet in contact with the ground and cannot touch any court lines. The serve must be a continuous forward motion, and the base of the shuttle (the cork) must be struck first.
Scoring:
In both singles and doubles, a point is scored when either the serving side or the receiving side wins a rally. A rally is a series of shots exchanged until the shuttlecock touches the ground, hits the net, or goes out of bounds. The first side to reach 21 points with a two-point lead wins the game, and a match typically consists of the best three out of five games.
In summary, while the fundamental service rules remain consistent between singles and doubles badminton, the positioning of players and the specific service courts used differ. Understanding these rules is crucial for effective gameplay and strategy development.
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The birdie must be hit below waist height
To start a badminton game, players usually toss the shuttlecock in the air and let it land, serving first from whichever side it points to. The rules of the game dictate that the birdie or shuttlecock must be hit below waist height during a serve. This means that the whole shuttlecock must be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when struck by the server, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The server must also ensure that they are serving diagonally into their opponent's service box.
In singles badminton, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from this side every time they have an even number of points. When a player has an odd number of points, they serve from the left. In badminton doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, alternating sides with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins the point, they assume the serve.
It's worth noting that in competitive adult matches, all games are played as the best of three. To win a game, a player or team must reach 21 points. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, the game continues until a team wins by two clear points. Interestingly, if the score reaches 29-29, the first player or team to score the 30th point wins the game.
While the rules state that the birdie must be hit below waist height during a serve, players are allowed to return the shuttlecock from inside or outside the court during a point. This means that while the serve must adhere strictly to the height rule, players have more flexibility in their shot placement once the game is underway.
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The first to 21 points wins
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs of players (doubles). The first player or pair to score 21 points wins the game. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, the game continues until one side achieves a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score the 30th point wins.
In badminton, each player has a dedicated service court. The receiver's position is determined by the server's score. The receiver always stands diagonally opposite the server, in the service box. In other words, both players will be in the even service courts or the odd service courts. The server's score determines whether they serve from the left or right service court. If the server's score is odd, they serve from the left court; if it's even, they serve from the right.
In singles, the server will serve from the right service court when their score is even and from the left service court when it's odd. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving while alternating sides with their partner as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve.
A badminton serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the court surface when struck by the server, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce. After a point is won, the players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point.
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Frequently asked questions
A player may serve consecutively for as long as they keep winning points.
If a player loses a point while serving, the serve passes to the opponent.
The rules for serving in badminton are:
- The serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height.
- The whole of the shuttle should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit.
- The racquet shaft should be pointing downwards.
- The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce.
- Players must remain stationary until the serve is made.




























